The NBA is banning Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, league Commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday, saying that its investigation has verified Sterling made racist comments in an audio recording that was made public Friday.

Illinois lawmakers have long debated whether to combine the offices of comptroller and treasurer. Both candidates for treasurer are competing to one-up each other over whether the office should even exist.

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday after two weeks away. The top issue this spring remains whether to let the temporary tax increase drop at the end of the year as scheduled, or vote to keep the income tax rate at five percent.